THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE FIANCÉE

Chapter 2: The Announcement

I was between a rock and a hard place. I raised my gaze to observe this Iván person and was left struck, because he had a very dark aura; he was an utterly serious and grim-faced guy. Not to mention that he stood at about two meters tall and his body was very heavily built, something completely different from what my boyfriend is. Next to him, I look like a cartoon figure; for God's sake, I stand at 1.65 and I am slender with a few assets, but nothing more.

"The girl was too young for my taste, not to mention she didn't have as many curves as I like, although I must admit she had a pretty face. Her long black hair drew attention; she had green eyes and pale skin. I was sure that by her looks she would convince my grandfather, because he surely expects a voluptuous and surgically enhanced woman, which would confirm his suspicions that I have paid her, but this girl looks like an ordinary person. Damn it, this will make my plans very difficult because she doesn't spark even a single bad thought in me since she is not my type." "We don't have all night, girl! I am waiting for your answer!"

"Why haven't you come inside? What is this lack of respect?"

I grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her toward me in a rough movement, so much so that she bumped against my chest.

"Ahh!"

"Iván, those are no ways to treat your fiancée! What happened to the manners I taught you?"

"Forgive me, my love… I didn't measure my strength! Let's go inside, Grandfather, to do the introductions."

"Javier, I told you that you had to bring a partner!"

"Grandfather, the girls I know are gold diggers, I wouldn't be capable of introducing a woman like that to you."

"At least you used your head this time. You should follow your brother's example; I am tired of that wild life you lead. Don't force me to take drastic measures."

"Grandfather, I promise you I will look for a good girl, but that isn't easy right now. What's more, my brother stole the only honest girl that existed in my university."

I was tense and tried to walk fast, although this man was literally dragging me along, not to mention he exerted a lot of force in his grip on my small hand. I wanted to run away, but his grandfather's face was very terrifying, so I remained in silence and followed them. Upon entering, I nearly suffered a heart attack… This place was filled with wealthy people, the entire venue screamed luxury. Not to mention that the women there were surgically enhanced from head to toe, and I felt very grateful that Javi had bought me this dress; otherwise, I would be the laughingstock of the party.

"The girl was in shock; anyone could notice she did not belong to this world, so I placed her in front of me to hold her close and whispered in her ear: 'I need you to relax because you look like a statue, and you must display confidence if you don't want these people to eat you alive. Remember that to the world you are my woman, and as such you must behave; show them that you are a De Luca.'"

"Fine, but I need you to keep your distance. I don't want you touching me!"

"That will be impossible; what's more, soon I will touch much more than this. Get used to it!"

"His words left me perplexed." "Don't forget that I am pretending only for today! Tomorrow you will have to find someone else to play this role!"

"Are you challenging me, creature? I will show you that I am the one who sets the rules of this game!" I took her hand and guided her to the stage. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! I present to you the next Mrs. De Luca! It is a pleasure for us to announce that our wedding will take place within a month and you are all cordially invited… Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 65th birthday of the founder of this family, Antonio De Luca."

I did not think he was going to do that. When he announced the engagement, the journalists went wild and did not stop taking photos while I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to pour from my eyes. I began to look for my "boyfriend" so he could help me, and I found him standing next to his grandfather, thoroughly happy, smiling and celebrating the announcement of my marriage to his brother. The only thing I wanted was to run very far away from these people, but I knew there was no way out when we stepped down from the stage and began to pose for photos. Everything was happening in slow motion… I was unable to perceive what was going on around me; I wasn't even aware that he had placed a ring on my finger that was somewhat too large for me.

He took my hand and placed it on his chest. "Sweetheart, show the engagement ring for the photos…"

His voice carried a clear threat, so I took a deep breath and posed for the photos because I could do nothing else.

"Grandson, I am very proud of you, so, gentlemen, I must make another announcement: as of today, all the De Luca companies will pass into the hands of my eldest grandson, Iván De Luca. He will be my successor because I will retire as soon as the wedding takes place."

Damn it… I knew my grandfather was an old fox. He won't give me anything until he sees me married to this girl. Damn it, and I had the hope of finding a woman of my type.

"I stepped down from the stage and went to meet the woman who stole my grandson's heart. I am certain that's how things happened because this girl is not Iván's type. I won't deny that I am very happy she is someone ordinary and not a surgically enhanced social climber like the ones he usually spends his nights with."

"Happy birthday, Mr. De Luca. It is a pleasure to meet you… Your grandson has told me wonderful things about you."

"Thank you. Your name is?"

"Excuse me, I am Mia Adams."

"It is a pleasure to meet you. Aren't you Italian?"

"No, I came to this country to study; I am American."

"It surprises me greatly that you ended up being my grandson's fiancée."

"Grandfather, I owe that to Javier, who asked me a couple of times to drive him to the university. We have been together for six months; she is about to graduate in Nursing."

"It is an absolute honor to welcome you into our family. I hope to be like a father to you, just as I have been to them since their parents died."

"Grandfather, we must mingle with the guests, we can talk more later."

"That's true! Tomorrow we will have a family breakfast; your room is prepared for you to spend the night."

The gentleman withdrew after dropping that bombshell. "I will not sleep with you!"

"Do you have a better idea? I am certain my grandfather will not like you snubbing him; you are the first woman he has invited to sleep over at his house."

It amused me to see her so upset. I, on the other hand, was very happy because I was close to achieving what I have desired for so long: control of the companies. She kept searching for my brother with her gaze, who was busy flirting with every single woman at the party. That is very typical of him; I don't understand how this girl puts up with it. But well, those are not my problems.